Getting waitlisted feels like being told "maybe." It's not a rejection — but it's not an acceptance either. And for the next few weeks, the single most powerful thing you can do is send a strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).
What Is a LOCI?
A Letter of Continued Interest (sometimes called a "love letter") is a brief, strategic communication you send to a school that waitlisted you. Its purpose is simple: to demonstrate that you're genuinely enthusiastic about this specific school, that you've continued to grow since you submitted your application, and that you will commit immediately if offered admission.
Done right, a LOCI can move you from the bottom of a waitlist to an acceptance. Done wrong — or not at all — and you're leaving your best card unplayed.
The Honest Truth About Waitlist Odds
Waitlist off-rates vary dramatically by school. At highly selective universities, the historical rate hovers around 10–15% in an average year — and can drop to single digits at the most competitive programs. For graduate programs like CMU MSCS, the number can be as low as 5–10% even in a good year.
You can check waitlist acceptance rates for specific schools on PrepToDone. Knowing the real odds helps you decide how much energy to invest.
When to Send Your LOCI
Send your LOCI within two weeks of receiving your waitlist notification. After May 1, send a brief update email reaffirming your interest. Waitlist movement typically begins in early May and continues through June.
The Three Things Every Strong LOCI Must Do
1. Love This School Specifically
Go specific. Name a professor whose research you'd want to work with. Name a program, a lab, a course, or a unique aspect of campus life that doesn't exist at your other options. Vague enthusiasm signals a form letter. Admissions readers can tell.
2. Show What's Changed Since You Applied
What has happened since you submitted? A stronger grade, a new award, a research finding, a new internship, an updated test score. One or two strong updates is better than a laundry list.
3. Commit Clearly
Write it plainly: "If offered admission, I will enroll immediately." Schools need to know that pulling you off the waitlist actually fills a seat. Be clear. Be direct.
Format and Length
Under 250 words. Plain email or brief PDF. Address the specific admissions officer if named.
An Example LOCI Structure
Dear [Admissions Officer Name],
>
I'm writing to reaffirm my strong interest in [School Name]'s Class of 2030. Since submitting my application, [School Name] has remained my first choice, and I would commit immediately upon any offer of admission.
>
Since my application, [one concrete new development]. I'm also even more drawn to [School Name] after [specific recent discovery] — specifically [one precise program/faculty/resource detail].
>
If admitted, I will withdraw my enrollment at [other school] immediately. Thank you for your continued consideration.
Using Data to Know Where You Stand
Before you finalize your LOCI strategy, understand how competitive your profile is relative to the school's admitted class. PrepToDone's Score feature compares your profile against admitted class data for over 300 schools.
The waitlist is a real path. Know your odds, write with precision, commit clearly — and then take care of your backup in the meantime.